Steering coupler rebuild

[eagleone1983]

Hey everyone. There was no steering section so I figured I'd just throw this question in here. Has anybody rebuilt their steering coupler? I already have the rebuild kit from Mopar but I wasn't to sure how to get the thing off and if this is even possible to do with the steering column in the car. I've heard that the pin needs to be pressed out. If the column does have to come out is that hard to do without tearing apart the interior? She's a '69 RR, thanks for the help.

 

[Deleted member 214]

Best to remove the steering column. On my 70, I took off the plastic trim plate underneath, unplugged the electrical, unbolted it at the firewall, took the bolts underneath the column out, slid it out. Not hard to do.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Hey everyone. There was no steering section so I figured I'd just throw this question in here. Has anybody rebuilt their steering coupler? I already have the rebuild kit from Mopar but I wasn't to sure how to get the thing off and if this is even possible to do with the steering column in the car. I've heard that the pin needs to be pressed out. If the column does have to come out is that hard to do without tearing apart the interior? She's a '69 RR, thanks for the help.

I have rebuilt many of these, First, the column needs to come out, which is pretty easy, the pin you spoke of that holds the shoes in place, ....I have NEVER seen one wear out, the last one I rebuilt had 179,000 miles on it , I checked the pin with a Micrometer and got the same measurement as the new part, I would check the pin and change ever thing else in there, It will save you tons of work, these pins are a PITA sometimes.

 

[eagleone1983]

That's why I love this forum. Thanks Hemi and Greg

Hemi, so what your saying is replace everything but leave the old pin in place then repack it with grease? Also what is the easiest way to get the old top clip off the coupler?

 

[HitIt]

Is the 69's coupler like my 64? If so just pry the eight tabs up and the top plate will come off. The harder part is getting it back on, which takes some creative clamping to close it all up with the new seal and allow you to bend the new tabs back. I just did mine, it's a bit of a handful to get it back together but it came out just fine.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Is the 69's coupler like my 64? If so just pry the eight tabs up and the top plate will come off. The harder part is getting it back on, which takes some creative clamping to close it all up with the new seal and allow you to bend the new tabs back. I just did mine, it's a bit of a handful to get it back together but it came out just fine.

EXACTLY ! come apart soooooooooo easy, but the reassembly can be a pain, experience has taught me a lesson or two on putting the top plates back on,.............. small channel locks are the best weapon of choice, ...when you bend a tab make sure plate is pushed down so it will be on tight, ....the second tab need to be opposite of the first tab, ....work across just like you would torque something,.... don't over bend tabs or the fit won't be centered,.... you can push the tabs a little more with the end or the pliers after you get it together to tighten it after you get it on. ......notice how the lip on seal is turned under it's self, this makes it tighter and keeps the grease on the inside where it's supposed to be.

and yes I would leave the old pin in, I will take ALL bets that it's Fine.

 

[HitIt]

Yep, I used channel locks and they worked pretty well to pinch the tabs shut. Someone said to hammer them down, but all that did for me was to make my clamps fall off.

Here is a very good article with tips on rebuilding the steering coupler: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ml-houstons-steeringcoupler.html

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Someone said to hammer them down,

Sounds like someone is smoking some good **** !:grin:.. ....a hammer !,:head_smack:..... I wonder what they were thinking ? :edgy:

 

[HitIt]

Sounds like someone is smoking some good **** !:grin:.. ....a hammer !,:head_smack:..... I wonder what they were thinking ? :edgy:

Ha ha yeah I thought hmm this can't be right and used the channel
locks.